Theories of Language Acquisition

The Innateness Hypothesis

• Babies are born with the knowledge of identifying patterns of language.
• Eric Lenneberg.
• Critical period.

Imitation Theory

• Memorizing the words and sentences.
• It does not matter the language of the ancestors.
• However, there is a case that shows clearly that sometimes imitation is not a reliable theory. Example: hitted or goed.

Reinforcement Theory

• Children learn to speak like adults do because they are rewarded when they are right.
• However, even when adults try to correct child's grammar, the attemps ususally fail.

Active Construction of Grammar Theory

• Children invent the rules of grammar themselves.
• The ability to develop rules is innate, but there is a input for analysis. (what they hear)

Connectionist Theory

• Children learn language by creating neural connections in the brain.
• It is develop by exposure to language and using it.

Connectionist Theory

• Children learn language by creating neural connections in the brain.
• It is develop by exposure to language and using it.

Social Interaction Theory

• Children acquire language through social interaction with older people.
• Enviroment.
• Enviroment.